The Counter-Strike 2 skins market hit a cap of $5 billion on 6 May, a significant milestone in the world of digital in-game assets.

After the release of CS2 in September 2023, the market initially experienced volatility due to uncertainties surrounding the new game’s economy and trading systems. However, following updates revitalised player interest in the skins market, leading to a resurgence in trading and investment.

After an initial steady rise, the market skyrocketed after the Spring 2025 update, with a 27% increase over 90 days according to tracker Pricempire. In February 2025, the market was at around $4.2 billion.

Despite regulatory challenges, including gambling bans in countries like Sweden, France, and the United States, the market has adapted by enhancing transparency and reducing risks associated with certain platforms, while regulations around in-game assets are still being discussed in certain countries.

Looking back at previous booms in the market, CS:GO’s market cap in 2020-2021 reached $3.5 billion, which was still significant at the time, as gaming across the board experienced a huge uptick given the lockdowns and people being stuck in their homes.